There’s no better proof Cubs ownership is trying to win than Tom Ricketts’ aggressive attempt to land Theo Epstein as his new GM. And for that, I give the Cubs mad props.

Ricketts has plenty of leverage to pry Epstein away from his hometown of Boston: An exciting change of scenery, more executive power, and the colossal challenge of bringing a World Series title to Wrigleyville–the perfect bait to hook one of the game’s brightest and most successful GMs.

But this is no small mess on the North Side, mind you. Not with the Cubs in a state of flux, meandering around the bottom of the standing with a mixed-bag of back-loaded contracts, young budding stars and washed-up veterans.

It’s a job fit for a pro, a mastermind like Theo who’s accustomed to working under the pressures of a large market club hungry to win.

That’s why offering equal, if not higher, compensation for Epstein is well worth the cost of doing business for Chicago–at least in the long haul.

Any fan paying attention knows a championship caliber club starts at the top with ownership, then the GM, next are talented players and lastly, the right fit at manager.

Ricketts, Epstein, Sandberg…sounds like winning baseball to me, despite the early costs.